Texas Man Sentenced to Nine Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run on Garden State Parkway, Victim Identified as Felipe Dos-Santos

Accident – Death – Obituary News : WOODBRIDGE, NJ — In a tragic incident that took place on the Garden State Parkway through Woodbridge in May 2022, a Texas man has been sentenced this week for a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of an Elizabeth man. Fornice Boatner, a resident of Cleveland, Texas, has been handed a nine-year prison term in New Jersey state prison for his involvement in the incident.

The incident occurred on May 25, 2022, when New Jersey State Police received a report of a deceased individual discovered in a ditch next to the roadway on the northbound section of the Parkway at milepost 130.4 in Woodbridge Township. The victim, identified as Felipe Dos-Santos, a 31-year-old resident of Elizabeth, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigations conducted by the police revealed that Felipe was walking along the shoulder of the Parkway in a northbound direction at around 1:00 a.m. when he was struck by a silver 2007 Dodge Ram. Shockingly, the driver of the Dodge Ram fled the scene of the accident, leaving Felipe fatally injured. Detectives were able to establish that Fornice Boatner, a resident of Texas, was the registered owner and driver of the Dodge Ram involved in the hit-and-run incident.

Further examination of the case revealed that Boatner had recently made repairs to the vehicle in an attempt to conceal the damage caused by the hit-and-run. However, his attempts to evade justice were short-lived. On May 28, 2022, Boatner and his Dodge Ram were located in Cleveland, TX, and he was subsequently arrested at his residence.

Boatner faced a series of serious charges including Vehicular Homicide, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Causing Death, Hindering, Obstruction, and Tampering with Evidence. After being extradited back to New Jersey on June 10, 2022, Boatner pled guilty to the charge of second-degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death. However, he failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing, which took place on January 30, 2023.

Authorities were not willing to let Boatner escape justice so easily. On November 2, 2023, he was apprehended and charged with the additional offense of third-degree Bail Jumping. This latest charge further compounded the severity of his legal situation.

The sentencing of Boatner this week brings a measure of closure to the family and friends of Felipe Dos-Santos, who tragically lost his life in this heart-wrenching hit-and-run incident. The nine-year prison term handed down to Boatner underscores the seriousness of the crime committed and sends a strong message that fleeing the scene of an accident resulting in death will not be tolerated by the justice system.

As the community mourns the loss of Felipe Dos-Santos, it is a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the devastating consequences that can arise from careless actions on the road. The hope is that this case serves as a deterrent to others and fosters a greater sense of responsibility among drivers, ultimately leading to safer roads for all..